FBLA Public Policy & Advocacy
Political Science - answer the scientific study of politics
Role and conflict of politics in government - answer Involves decisions/policies that
affect the nation. Conflicts arise when there are differing viewpoints on issues
Democracy - answer power is held by people, decisions are made by voting
Capitalism - answer economic system, private individuals and businesses control
production and distribution of goods and services
Constitutionalism - answer belief in importance of having a constitution that limits power
of government, ensures individual rights
Types and sources of political power - answer Legitimate power - person's position or
authority
Coercive - use of force
Shifting power from majority to a few - answer Concentration of power and an
imbalance, does not full represent the people
Relationship: political culture and public opinion - answerculture - shared beliefs, values,
norms of thinking,
public opinion - attitudes and preferences of the general public on specific issues culture
influences opinions
Role of citizenship and civil society in a democracy - answercitizenship involvings
actively partaking in democratic processes (voting, etc.) society collective actions and
organizations outside of gov
political justice - answerFair and equal distribution of power in political system, involves
equal rights and opportunities to people
individual rights - answerfreedoms that everyone is entitled to
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) - answerA measurement of the total goods and services
produced within a country, typically in a year
difference between countries, nations, states, and governments - answerCountries -
geographic territory w defined borders
nation - group of people w common culture, lang, or history
state - defined territory and population
, Government - governing body has authority to make and enforce laws w/in a state
history of political parties in the U.S - answer*Founders were profoundly uncomfortable
with them
-Washington - "let me warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects
of the spirit of partly generally"
-Tocqueville - "parties are an evil inherent in free government"
*corrupt, factional, smoke filled rooms, not independent
*Political Scientists contrast
-E.E. Schattschneider - "parties created Democracy"
-in the case of two parties, solves the "paradox of voting"
difference between the two-party and multi-party government systems - answerA multi-
party system prevents the leadership of a single party from controlling a single
legislative chamber without challenge. A system where only two parties have the
possibility of winning an election is called a two-party system.
current political parties - answerDemocrats and Republicans
role of minor political parties - answerthey force major parties to address new issues
and can take away votes from the major political party
relationship between political parties and special interest groups - answerBoth have a
goal of influencing government decisions with their interests.
special interest groups - answeran organization of people with some common interest
who try to influence government decisions
difference between private and public special interest groups - answerPublic special
interest groups aim to promote public, or collective goods (benefits that help most or all
citizens)
Private special interest groups seek benefits for a small portion of citizens
how special interest groups (for example: Boston Tea Party) have influenced American
politics - answerInterest groups influenced American politics by swaying the publics
opinion to influence government officials.
Outline the history of Civil Liberties in the United States - answerThe first instance of
Civil Liberties being incorporated into the United States was writing the US Constitution
and Bill of Rights. Many of the Civil Liberties that we have today appear.
importance and limitations of freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly -
answerThe importance of all of these allow Americans to have a more free society and
express their own opinions and beliefs. Limitations of these are set for public order,
safety and health.
Political Science - answer the scientific study of politics
Role and conflict of politics in government - answer Involves decisions/policies that
affect the nation. Conflicts arise when there are differing viewpoints on issues
Democracy - answer power is held by people, decisions are made by voting
Capitalism - answer economic system, private individuals and businesses control
production and distribution of goods and services
Constitutionalism - answer belief in importance of having a constitution that limits power
of government, ensures individual rights
Types and sources of political power - answer Legitimate power - person's position or
authority
Coercive - use of force
Shifting power from majority to a few - answer Concentration of power and an
imbalance, does not full represent the people
Relationship: political culture and public opinion - answerculture - shared beliefs, values,
norms of thinking,
public opinion - attitudes and preferences of the general public on specific issues culture
influences opinions
Role of citizenship and civil society in a democracy - answercitizenship involvings
actively partaking in democratic processes (voting, etc.) society collective actions and
organizations outside of gov
political justice - answerFair and equal distribution of power in political system, involves
equal rights and opportunities to people
individual rights - answerfreedoms that everyone is entitled to
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) - answerA measurement of the total goods and services
produced within a country, typically in a year
difference between countries, nations, states, and governments - answerCountries -
geographic territory w defined borders
nation - group of people w common culture, lang, or history
state - defined territory and population
, Government - governing body has authority to make and enforce laws w/in a state
history of political parties in the U.S - answer*Founders were profoundly uncomfortable
with them
-Washington - "let me warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects
of the spirit of partly generally"
-Tocqueville - "parties are an evil inherent in free government"
*corrupt, factional, smoke filled rooms, not independent
*Political Scientists contrast
-E.E. Schattschneider - "parties created Democracy"
-in the case of two parties, solves the "paradox of voting"
difference between the two-party and multi-party government systems - answerA multi-
party system prevents the leadership of a single party from controlling a single
legislative chamber without challenge. A system where only two parties have the
possibility of winning an election is called a two-party system.
current political parties - answerDemocrats and Republicans
role of minor political parties - answerthey force major parties to address new issues
and can take away votes from the major political party
relationship between political parties and special interest groups - answerBoth have a
goal of influencing government decisions with their interests.
special interest groups - answeran organization of people with some common interest
who try to influence government decisions
difference between private and public special interest groups - answerPublic special
interest groups aim to promote public, or collective goods (benefits that help most or all
citizens)
Private special interest groups seek benefits for a small portion of citizens
how special interest groups (for example: Boston Tea Party) have influenced American
politics - answerInterest groups influenced American politics by swaying the publics
opinion to influence government officials.
Outline the history of Civil Liberties in the United States - answerThe first instance of
Civil Liberties being incorporated into the United States was writing the US Constitution
and Bill of Rights. Many of the Civil Liberties that we have today appear.
importance and limitations of freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly -
answerThe importance of all of these allow Americans to have a more free society and
express their own opinions and beliefs. Limitations of these are set for public order,
safety and health.
